Well said, Stephen.

I'm especially glad mentioned setting the sound right for each performer. I've been at open mikes where the sound was set at certain levels at the outset and you dared not ask for it to be adjusted for your voice. I'd rather sing with no amplification (provided the room isn't too huge) than with the sound set for talking or for a bellowing baritone with a small-bodied guitar--which makes my voice sound tinny (if you can hear it over the guitar at all).

Quandary guest, I'm not saying you run sound that way, just that sometimes performers at open mikes can't 'put their best foot forward' because of the stage set-up itself.

~SWO~